Nutrition expert to discuss health risks of childhood obesity

A discussion on childhood obesity will kick off Sacramento Stateís annual Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) lecture series 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25 in the University Unionís Redwood Room.

Dr. Wendy Cunningham from Sacramento Stateís Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is the eventís speaker. Cunningham is a specialist in nutrition and weight management and is a registered dietitian and exercise test technician. She works with the El Dorado County Board of Education on health projects for high school students and with the University of California, Davis on nutrition interventions for patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

According to the American Obesity Association, approximately 30 percent of children are overweight and 15 percent are obese.

The lecture will examine the causes of childhood obesity and the challenges faced by children, their parents and society as Americaís youth continue to tip the scales and impact their health, Cunningham says.

Overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults, which could put them at increased risk of heart disease and other illnesses as they grow older, according to the American Heart Association

STEM sponsors four lectures each academic year. The next lecture is Nov. 6. The topic will be announced at a later date. All lectures are held on campus and are free.

For more information, contact Cunningham at (916) 278-6732 or wcunningham@csus.edu. For media assistance, contact the Sacramento State Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156.